The best way to evaluate brightness is to identify how many lumens it has. Lumens are the unit of luminous flux, which measures the total visible light emitted by any specific light source per unit of time. Many camping lantern brands have the lumen number within the name of each product. For example, with the Goal Zero Lighthouse 600, the 600 represents the number of lumens emitted by the lantern’s light source. Lanterns have different battery options, from USB rechargeable, solar recharging, or disposable batteries. The Ultimate Survival Technologies 30-Day Duro is a real marathon runner. While the manufacturer advertises 30 days of power, the lantern we tested ran for 33 days. Even on its brightest setting, it lasted nine hours – one of the best models in our assessment. It has a sturdy, heavy, rubberized, impact-resistant base. A nice addition is the frosted plastic cover that softens the light and makes it easier to look at (and the cover is removable when you need an even brighter glow). This model weighs just under two pounds with three D-batteries, making it a great choice for your picnic table lantern. Your day doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Enjoy your camping experience well into the night with one of the best camping lanterns. While there are several light sources to choose from—including headlamps, string lights, a campfire, or the traditional flashlight—lanterns are an excellent option for campers who want a more reliable and stationary option. Run Time: How long does the battery last? Does the run time change according to the light mode or external temperatures? What is the lifespan of the battery? Is the battery rechargeable?

The Lighthouse 600 is a powerful and versatile light and power bank all rolled into one. It can pump out 600 lumens of light when you need it, but can also charge your phone, tablet or headtorch via the front-facing USB port. A durable lantern with exceptional battery life for extended use that you can rely on when the lights go outThe Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 is a versatile and practical lantern that works well for camping, working, or emergencies. As the best overall camping lantern, the light quality, brightness, and ease of use are ideal. The lantern illuminates a yellow light with a 360-degree light design similar to a traditional lantern. To save on power and increase runtime, there is also an option to only illuminate half the lantern. The runtime of this lantern is impressive, listed as capable of running up to 180 hours when on the lowest light setting when running the full lantern, but up to 320 hours when running one side of the lantern on low light. Since many campers run lanterns on high, it is important to note that when run on high, the battery only lasts around 2.5 hours. Two collapsible legs provide a stable base for use on a table but it can also be hung from a small folding handle on top. A series of blue LED’s announces the battery charge status and a knob controls the light mode and output. An integrated charging cord wraps around the lantern and snaps securely into place where it remains out of the way until needed. A USB outlet next to the control knob can be used to charge small electronics and up top you’ll find two flashing red lights and a hand crank. The brightest battery-powered camping lantern on our list is the Goal Zero Lighthouse 600. The brightest camping lantern on the list is actually the Coleman Northstar propane lantern since when turned up all the way, it runs just over 1500 lumens. However, several other lighting brands offer light sources with 1000+ lumens. Remember, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light. So, if you are looking for the brightest camping lantern out there, look for a lantern with a high lumen number. Lanterns with high lumens generally have a shorter battery life when run on the highest setting, so keep that in mind while shopping. Final Thoughts on the Best Camping Lanterns If we are getting down to the nitty-gritty details, the metal hanging loop really requires an additional carabiner to be truly functional. This model has a waterproof rating of IPX6, but the USB port and plug are fully exposed to the elements and prone to getting crammed with dirt and debris. This model doesn't have the longest-lasting battery in its highest setting, so keep it dimmed if you need it to last for several nights. Even with those minor inconveniences, this model is an excellent option when you need a compact light that punches above its weight class. The best camping lanterns all have one thing in common: they perform well in the brightness category when used in the field. The brightness, run time, durability, and ease of use helped us sift through and narrow down which lanterns made our list. We did our best to include a range of lanterns to ensure you’d find a good fit no matter the type of camping you enjoy. Don’t forget you can also buy secondhand. Local gear consignment stores, friends, families, and other online marketplaces are excellent places to find quality outdoor gear at a lower price. Why Trust Us

The Lighthouse 600 is versatile. It has a large handful of useful features, and best of all, it is bright enough for a large tent or small group outside. This lantern comes at somewhat of a premium, but we think that it is worth it. This rechargeable light eliminates the need for any additional investment to replace batteries, increasing its long-term value. The ability to charge without electricity from an outlet also makes it highly versatile in the short term. What Other Lanterns Should You Consider? Durability: What is the projected lifespan of the product? Are the batteries rechargeable if they use batteries? Does the company offer a repair or recycling program? What is the product warranty? Does the lantern work in all weather conditions? Ease of Use: What is the intended use, and does it function well for that purpose? Within the application of a variety of camping styles, how does the lantern function? Are the settings and modes straightforward enough to figure out without detailed instructions? Directional and adjustable LED light, up to 600 lumens. Recharge the internal battery from any USB port, from the sun with a Goal Zero solar panel, or use the built-in hand crank to charge up in an emergency.

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Battery life – It goes without saying, you don’t want to be caught out by battery. Most rechargeable lanterns have long-lasting battery lives to suffice time away from a power supply, but some have longer-lasting batteries than others. We recommend factoring in the length and nature of your trip when selecting. Err on the side of caution when it comes to the battery – you won’t regret it. The VSSL Lantern offers a secure attachment hook for easy access while hiking or to hang while in use. Collapsible legs provide a stand for maximum light dispersion and fold in for convenient storage. A built-in handle allows for easy carrying and hanging. Features: What features does the lantern offer in terms of light modes and other functionality (i.e., charging other devices)?

Beyond looking at the lumens to determine brightness, when testing products, we also considered the quality of the light and the coverage area. We wanted to ensure that, no matter how bright the lantern is, it also illuminates a decent area. We were also looking at how consistent the light is, the color, and if there are any breaks in the stream of light. We needed to look beyond lumens because some lanterns emit an intense white light while others may be closer to yellow or blue light. Certain lanterns also offer a red light setting. Each setting and light color interact differently, and if the light is too fluorescent, it may be hard to use. Bringing a unique and somewhat romantic feel to camping, the Snow Peak Mini Flame lantern is the perfect way to enjoy the night. The small lightweight design fits onto an iso-butane fuel canister, and the light emitted is similar to that of a candle. The dial on the side of the lantern allows the fuel flow to be controlled and to change the light setting. Still, even on the highest setting, it isn’t the brightest option, and the illumination area is much smaller than other lantern options.Charging the Lighthouse can be achieved in three different ways: via the sun, from the USB port or the traditional way, hand cranking. You'll need Goal Zero's Nomad 10 Solar Panel to charge via the sun — this will charge from empty to full in around 6 hours. If you've not got access to a USB port or solar panel, simply hand-crank the Lighthouse for 1 minute to gain 10 minutes of light. Weight: How portable is the lantern? What is the intended use, and does the weight and size of the lantern reflect that?

Functional features like legs, hooks, mounting options and weatherproofing are also worth considering since lanterns are intended for outdoor use. If you’re using a lantern in a tent or RV or at the camping table, being able to hang it or stand it on its legs to elevate it above your working station is important. We've tested more than four dozen lanterns over the last decade. For this review, we researched dozens of contenders and selected the most popular models to put to the test. We took them on camping trips, assessing how each performed for solo use, small groups of two to three people, and larger groups of more than four. We spent nights through simulated (and a couple of real) power outages, seeing how we fared with just the light of these luminaries. Brightness is the most important metric, accounting for the majority of each lantern's overall score – each lantern underwent eight specific tests to assess the brightness score alone. We measured battery life by timing how long each model could run on its highest setting. We weighed each model and also considered any bonus features or elements that add to their overall functionality. Finally, we consulted with a panel of professional gear testers to judge how intuitive each one is to use. By the end of our testing period, we have run 360 individual tests to assess our selection of the 24 best lanterns on the market. Internal lithium battery boasts 5200 mAh with a USB output, enough power to charge phones, headlamps, tablets, and more.Brightness: What are the max lumens? Do the different light modes have varying brightness? What is the reach and shape of the light when in use? Does the brightness fade as it loses battery? Utilize 360 degrees of bright LED light, or save on power and extend runtimes by illuminating half the lantern.